Ruptured Cervical Disc after Spinal Manipulation Therapy: Report of Two Cases

STUDY DESIGN: Case reports of ruptured cervical disc after spinal manipulation therapy. OBJECTIVES: To present the rare cases of ruptured cervical disc temporally related to spinal manipulation therapy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The complication of ruptured cervical disc was rare in the literature. METHODS: Two patients developed cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy after spinal manipulation therapy, and magnetic resonance imaging showed herniated cervical discs at C4-C5 and C6-C7, respectively. RESULTS: Anterior cervical discectomy was performed, and ruptured disc fragments were removed in these two patients. Both patients had good neurologic recovery after operation, and no neurologic deficits were noted after 15 and 6 months of follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of these two patients reminds us that cervical disc rupture can occur during a course of cervical spinal manipulation. Full neurologic recovery is achievable if accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment are done